The Madras High Court has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Probe into the alleged illegal sand quarrying in Tamil Nadu’s Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts
The Madras HC pulled up authorities in the two districts and the police for remaining silent on illegalities.
Disposing of a writ petition filed by lorry owners,
Justice S. Manikumar said authorities in Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur
districts, the Public Works Department and the police had remained
silent. They had failed to exercise proper administrative control to
prevent contravention of the provisions of the Mines and Minerals
(Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, he said.
“They
have not only failed to meet the expected standards of performance of
their duties and their inaction, in the opinion of this court, is not
short of dereliction of their duties or abetting the crime,” the Judge
added.
The CBI was asked to take stringent action against the officials if prima facie material indicated the offences.The CBI was directed to forward the investigation report to the Chief Secretary, to ascertain revenue loss to the Govt
Background of the Case
Poonamallee Circle River Sand Lorry Owner’s Association had filed the writ petition seeking a direction to the authorities including the collectors of the two districts to take appropriate action against M. Palanisamy of Coimbatore and his men for selling river sand by setting up stockyard, without obtaining a dealer licence
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